| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024pet•ri•fy /ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪ/USA pronunciation v., -fied, -fy•ing. - to (cause to) become changed into stone or a stony substance: [no object]Over thousands of years the fossils had petrified.[~ + object]The hot lava had instantly petrified this fossil.
- to cause to be in a state of shock, as from fear or terror:[~ + object]She refused to climb up the tree because heights petrify her.
- to (cause to) be hardened, deadened, or unwilling to change: [~ + object]The tragedy petrified his emotions.[no object]The tiny, isolated society had petrified.
pet•ri•fac•tion /ˌpɛtrəˈfækʃən/USA pronunciation n. [uncountable]pet•ri•fied, adj.: The petrified children sat there, eyes wide with fear. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024pet•ri•fy (pe′trə fī′),USA pronunciation v., -fied, -fy•ing. v.t. - to convert into stone or a stony substance.
- to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion:I was petrified with fear.
- to make rigid or inert; harden;
deaden:The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
v.i. - to become petrified.
- Middle French petrifier. See petri-, -fy
- 1585–95
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged immobilize, dumbfound, daze.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: petrify /ˈpɛtrɪˌfaɪ/ vb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)- (tr; often passive) to convert (organic material, esp plant material) into a fossilized form by impregnation with dissolved minerals so that the original appearance is preserved
- to make or become dull, unresponsive, insensitive, etc; deaden
- (tr; often passive) to stun or daze with horror, fear, etc
Etymology: 16th Century: from French pétrifier, ultimately from Greek petra stone, rockˈpetriˌfier n |